NEWS

Iowa officials say 2013 was year of safe hunting

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials say 2013 was another year of safe hunting in the state.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says no fatalities were recorded last year during hunting seasons. However, there were 11 injuries and six cases of property damage.

Megan Wisecup, safety education programs coordinator, says there's been a trend of self-inflicted incidents over the last four to five years. Officials recommend that hunters remember basic firearm handling.

Wisecup says mandatory hunter education courses are part of a drastic drop in hunting incidents. In the 1960s, officials recorded more than 100 incidents and up to 20 fatalities a year.